Were there no other reasons, it is enough that my father and your brother would both cry out against it." "My brother, what has he to do with it?
And your father----" "Come, Alleyne, was it not you who would have me act fairly to all men, and, certes, to my father amongst them ?" "You say truly," he cried, "you say truly.

But you do not reject me, Maude?
You give me some ray of hope?
I do not ask pledge or promise.

Say only that I am not hateful to you--that on some happier day I may hear kinder words from you." Her eyes softened upon him, and a kind answer was on her lips, when a hoarse shout, with the clatter of arms and stamping of steeds, rose up from the bailey below.

At the sound her face set her eyes sparkled, and she stood with flushed cheek and head thrown back--a woman's body, with a soul of fire.
"My father hath gone down," she cried.

"Your place is by his side.